bestseller92
Member
Ruger 3" SP101 .357, loaded with +P .38s.
SD Pistol Recommendation for Small Girl
- Thread starter cbrgator
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An investment of both your time at www.cornernedcat.com will pay huge dividends and make her gun buying and owning experience a lot more fun for both of you.
remingtondude58
Member
My wife recently became interested in shooting and CCW. I started by pulling everything out of the safe and taking her to the range. We shot everything from .22 up to .45. Later I took her to a couple of gun stores and really enjoyed annoying the help asking to see one of practically everything in the case. The next month we went to a local gun show - hoping to see a few items she hadn't seen before.
The decision was completely hers other than asking my advice on finishes and magazine / ammo availability. I let her get a feel for operating the slide, the trigger reach, handling the magazines, etc.
Our range trip included Single Action, Double Action, and Striker Fired Autos as well as revolvers. After the range trip she was pretty well set on a single action or striker fired automatic though she didn't like the weight of a steel 1911. After the gun store trips she was pretty sure about a Springfield XDm. When we went to the gun show she confirmed the XDm after handling some other odds and ends including High Powers, Sigs, a number of 1911s, Walthers (Vintage and New - I own a PPS), S&Ws, Taurus Autos, Kahr, CZs, HK, etc.
So she settled on a new Bitone (Stainless slide, black frame) XDm in 9mm.
My advice is let her choose and either take her to shoot the various pistols in your collection, your buddies' collections or go to a range that has a good rental selection.
Ryan
The decision was completely hers other than asking my advice on finishes and magazine / ammo availability. I let her get a feel for operating the slide, the trigger reach, handling the magazines, etc.
Our range trip included Single Action, Double Action, and Striker Fired Autos as well as revolvers. After the range trip she was pretty well set on a single action or striker fired automatic though she didn't like the weight of a steel 1911. After the gun store trips she was pretty sure about a Springfield XDm. When we went to the gun show she confirmed the XDm after handling some other odds and ends including High Powers, Sigs, a number of 1911s, Walthers (Vintage and New - I own a PPS), S&Ws, Taurus Autos, Kahr, CZs, HK, etc.
So she settled on a new Bitone (Stainless slide, black frame) XDm in 9mm.
My advice is let her choose and either take her to shoot the various pistols in your collection, your buddies' collections or go to a range that has a good rental selection.
Ryan
colorado_handgunner
Member
Only if you don't want something she will not be able to shoot until sometime next year. I haven't been able to find .380 for my LCP for 4 months!
Get her something with ammo you cab actually find. She won't become proficient if she can't practice.
Ohio Gun Guy
Member
AP-7 in 32acp. / or a walther ppk/s in .32 acp
I gave one to my Grandmother for home defense after she had trouble with the guns she already owns. She likes the .32acp. Some people will say a .32 doesnt pack enough puch, I think it's adequate. European police forces used them!
I gave one to my Grandmother for home defense after she had trouble with the guns she already owns. She likes the .32acp. Some people will say a .32 doesnt pack enough puch, I think it's adequate. European police forces used them!
christcorp
Member
I'm not a small guy, but in the warmer months like now, I carry exclusively my Walther PPK 32auto or it's clone, the FEG AP-MBP also 32 auto. It is definitely a satisfactory round. Anyone who says it isn't, isn't realistic.
Having said that, I will reiterate a hundred more times; if she doesn't plan on shooting on a regular basis, and plans on using this gun for self/home defense; then DO NOT get her a semi-auto pistol. I don't care WHAT the make, model, or caliber. Find her a quality revolver. Let her pick it out. If she's into guns and wants to shoot often, then a semi-auto is fine. And you train with 2-3 dummy rounds in the magazine. And you fire and practice clearing dead rounds and all the other possible malfunctions. Both mechanical and human. I know a lot of people who have their semi-autos who's egos are talking instead of their brains. Some of these people WILL have a problem if they need the gun and something happens. They WON'T be able to think fast enough, they WILL panic, and they WILL get hurt or die. SCREW THAT!!!!! If she isn't going to shoot on a regular basis, DON'T let her get a semi-auto. Recommending such a thing is irresponsible.
Having said that, I will reiterate a hundred more times; if she doesn't plan on shooting on a regular basis, and plans on using this gun for self/home defense; then DO NOT get her a semi-auto pistol. I don't care WHAT the make, model, or caliber. Find her a quality revolver. Let her pick it out. If she's into guns and wants to shoot often, then a semi-auto is fine. And you train with 2-3 dummy rounds in the magazine. And you fire and practice clearing dead rounds and all the other possible malfunctions. Both mechanical and human. I know a lot of people who have their semi-autos who's egos are talking instead of their brains. Some of these people WILL have a problem if they need the gun and something happens. They WON'T be able to think fast enough, they WILL panic, and they WILL get hurt or die. SCREW THAT!!!!! If she isn't going to shoot on a regular basis, DON'T let her get a semi-auto. Recommending such a thing is irresponsible.
krs
Member
It doesn't really matter what pistol - it matters how much she wants to shoot.
What?
my Beretta .25 IS so cute and if you don't think so I'll get my Sig 220 out and prove it.
What?
my Beretta .25 IS so cute and if you don't think so I'll get my Sig 220 out and prove it.
BCRider
Member
While I agree with the others that suggest that learning the correct technique will cure the limp wrist issue I don't think this is the wise option. What is learned and practiced in the range will be soon forgotten in the heat of a situation.
The limp wristing suggests that she's afraid of the guns on some level so she isn't fully gripping them. The best way to deal with THAT issue is a topic of it's own.
In the meantime if she is truly wanting a pistol for self defense and not just to pander to your attention then I would let her shoot a bunch of options split more or less equally between both small and bigger semis and revovlers and see where the smile occurs. Your role in all of this should be to ONLY ensure she uses the appropriate grip in each case. If she is serious about getting a gun then it must be her decision.
I'm basing this on the fact that I've had a couple of girl friends over the years that tried my hobbys thinking, as it turned out later, that it was a way to reaching me rather than because they actually thought it was something they wanted to do. I'm not saying this is the situation in YOUR case but keep it in the back of your head just in case.
The limp wristing suggests that she's afraid of the guns on some level so she isn't fully gripping them. The best way to deal with THAT issue is a topic of it's own.
In the meantime if she is truly wanting a pistol for self defense and not just to pander to your attention then I would let her shoot a bunch of options split more or less equally between both small and bigger semis and revovlers and see where the smile occurs. Your role in all of this should be to ONLY ensure she uses the appropriate grip in each case. If she is serious about getting a gun then it must be her decision.
I'm basing this on the fact that I've had a couple of girl friends over the years that tried my hobbys thinking, as it turned out later, that it was a way to reaching me rather than because they actually thought it was something they wanted to do. I'm not saying this is the situation in YOUR case but keep it in the back of your head just in case.
gglass
Member
My wife had her pick of any handgun from the inventory of 3 different dealers. I can only say that she is a woman who wants what she wants, and this is what she wanted.
My wife absolutely loves her Bersa 380cc... I would not want to be the guy who tries to take it from her.
My wife absolutely loves her Bersa 380cc... I would not want to be the guy who tries to take it from her.
My wife
My wife is petite and went through the same problem. I gave her a GLOCK 19, but she can no longer handle the recoil of the GLOCK or the gun weight of a K-frame S&W.
The small J-frame revolvers bring recoil back as a problem, so we settled on a WALTHER P-22. Power is not suffiecent, but she can a least operate it and likes it.
We are now trying to convert over to a BERETTA 84 in .380ACP. She loves the double action trigger which is very smooth and the 13 round magazine capacity and total reliability is a plus.
Jim
p.s.--------A BIG DOWNSIDE IS TRYING TO FIND .380 AMMO!
My wife is petite and went through the same problem. I gave her a GLOCK 19, but she can no longer handle the recoil of the GLOCK or the gun weight of a K-frame S&W.
The small J-frame revolvers bring recoil back as a problem, so we settled on a WALTHER P-22. Power is not suffiecent, but she can a least operate it and likes it.
We are now trying to convert over to a BERETTA 84 in .380ACP. She loves the double action trigger which is very smooth and the 13 round magazine capacity and total reliability is a plus.
Jim
p.s.--------A BIG DOWNSIDE IS TRYING TO FIND .380 AMMO!
chieftain
Member
My youngest daughter at 21 stands 4'11" and weights in at about 100lbs. Tiny.
She has always preferred the full size or government model 1911 in 45acp of course.
So for her 21'st birthday last year, I got her a Colt Combat Elite. Set it up with an utra short Colt trigger, very thin Navidrex Grips, with appropriate thin grip bushings and screws. fitted a low extended Gunsite thumb safety.
Never forget the 1911's ability to be adapted to virtually anyones hand size or combination of dimensions.
She shoots the hell out of it. She had all my handguns to choose from. From small 'J' frame S&W to the 1911's. Glocks, SIG's, Kahr's, XDm's, Ruger's SR9, S&W M&P9, etc......
She wanted a Government model in 45acp. (She already has her 5.56 NATO carbine, set up with a red dot, of course)
Don't mess with Daddy's little girl.
Go figure.
Fred
Stupid should hurt
She has always preferred the full size or government model 1911 in 45acp of course.
So for her 21'st birthday last year, I got her a Colt Combat Elite. Set it up with an utra short Colt trigger, very thin Navidrex Grips, with appropriate thin grip bushings and screws. fitted a low extended Gunsite thumb safety.
Never forget the 1911's ability to be adapted to virtually anyones hand size or combination of dimensions.
She shoots the hell out of it. She had all my handguns to choose from. From small 'J' frame S&W to the 1911's. Glocks, SIG's, Kahr's, XDm's, Ruger's SR9, S&W M&P9, etc......
She wanted a Government model in 45acp. (She already has her 5.56 NATO carbine, set up with a red dot, of course)
Don't mess with Daddy's little girl.
Go figure.
Fred
Stupid should hurt
KBintheSLC
Member
My wife loves her Kel Tec P32... sure its not the best caliber, but it does work. I prefer she have the P32 on her body than her 9mm in a purse. She is 5"2" and 105 lbs. and the P32 is about the only thing she can carry on her person. We have 2 of these guns... I have one too... and neither have ever had a single failure.
mljdeckard
Member
Remember that smaller guns are not easier to shoot. They have less weight, which means MORE felt recoil, and a shorter sight radius, which makes them more difficult to aim. Now, understanding that I wasn't there, I'm going to suggest that if she is limp-wristing a G-19, She needs to practice her grip. I am currently dealing with the same situation with my mother, who decided to be interested suddenly. She was shooting a borrowed Mk II with a bull-barrel, and getting FTEs.
I told my dad, "NO, we are NOT going to get her a .22 to carry, we are going to get a medium-framed 9mm or .357 loaded with .38s until she gets her technique better."
Even though I have never experienced it personally, I have heard that Glocks are more likely to malfunction from limp-wristing. I would recommend trying some other medium-frame autos in 9mm to see if they work better for her.
I told my dad, "NO, we are NOT going to get her a .22 to carry, we are going to get a medium-framed 9mm or .357 loaded with .38s until she gets her technique better."
Even though I have never experienced it personally, I have heard that Glocks are more likely to malfunction from limp-wristing. I would recommend trying some other medium-frame autos in 9mm to see if they work better for her.
BCRider
Member
Correct me if I'm wrong but the limp wrist issue is related to not holding enough push-pull tension in the overlapping hands. Be it a semi or revolver or light or heavy a proper level of the isometric tension is something any shooter needs to learn. It not only helps avoid this limp wrist related troubles but it steadys the aim so the shooter can manage tighter groups.
mljdeckard
Member
If it was ME, I would have her get a bigger purse. Make the accessories and lifestyle fit the right gun. Not the other way around.
Jed Carter
Member
Ruger SP101, she needs a revolver not a pistol IMHO.
The Wiry Irishman
Member
A friend of mine bought a STI Trojan a year or so back, loves it, but found she can't possibly conceal it on her person and doesn't like the idea of off-body carry. She was bored one day and started wandering around gun stores and stumbled across a Bersa Thunder .380 and just fell in love. Fit her hand great, she could easily rack the slide (something she could not do with my PPK), and she could conceal it in a variety of different ways.
We took it out to the range and I'll tell you what, that gun sure is ugly, and its got a few tool marks, but boy is it a sweet shooter. The only .380 available was my warmish handloads, and even with those it did not feel like a blowback gun. I love my PPK, but she's a harsh mistress and will beat up on you a bit, even though she's heavy. Its been a while since I've shot a 9mm, but the Bersa felt like one of the softest shooting centerfires I've used. Accurate, too, and very decent trigger, especially in double action. I didn't shoot it for groups, but just pulling the trigger as fast as I could recover from recoil I was still putting everything within 4-5 inches at 50 feet. She doesn't get as much pistol practice as I do, but she was still able to easily hold minute-of-face at the same distance. Ergonomics were excellent for both her itty-bitty hands and my large ones.
So that's another option to have her look at. Getting something she wants and picks out is key, though - it won't get shot if its not comfortable or she doesn't like it.
We took it out to the range and I'll tell you what, that gun sure is ugly, and its got a few tool marks, but boy is it a sweet shooter. The only .380 available was my warmish handloads, and even with those it did not feel like a blowback gun. I love my PPK, but she's a harsh mistress and will beat up on you a bit, even though she's heavy. Its been a while since I've shot a 9mm, but the Bersa felt like one of the softest shooting centerfires I've used. Accurate, too, and very decent trigger, especially in double action. I didn't shoot it for groups, but just pulling the trigger as fast as I could recover from recoil I was still putting everything within 4-5 inches at 50 feet. She doesn't get as much pistol practice as I do, but she was still able to easily hold minute-of-face at the same distance. Ergonomics were excellent for both her itty-bitty hands and my large ones.
So that's another option to have her look at. Getting something she wants and picks out is key, though - it won't get shot if its not comfortable or she doesn't like it.
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bigfatdave
Member
I hear a lot of people talk about "not wasting time with a .22" ... most of those people can't shoot a pistol very well.
The .22 isn't for carry, it is to learn the fundamentals without developing a flinch. If she is causing a Glock to malfunction, she is already ingraining bad habits and poor technique. You can't solve the self-defense puzzle with hardware only, you need to get the right software and a .22 is the way to install it.
<sarcasm>Or just keep sticking the Glock in her hands and making her feel like an idiot, I'm sure that will empower her and get her confident in handgun self-defense.</sarcasm>
Get her shooting something she likes for practice, and then worry about a SD/HD/CCW handgun. It doesn't matter how awesome and perfect the handgun you pick is if she never practices with it.
punkndisorderly
Member
If she wants to really spend the time to learn how to shoot, as opposed to pointing it in the general direction of the target and pulling the trigger, any quality gun that fits her hands will work. She just needs some professional instruction and the desire to learn. Get her some professional instruction and some trigger time with as many firearms as possible. Then let her make her own choice.
I'd recommend getting a pistol for which a .22 conversion unit is available or a revolver for which a similar one can be purchased in .22lr. A .22 is inexpensive enough to shoot that even an entire day at the range won't break the bank. The only thing missing is the recoil and blast. It's a great way to work on shooting fundaamentals.
If she doesn't really want to learn, get her a .38 airweight snubby and pray she never needs to use it.
As far as purse carry, its better than leaving it on the nightstand, but not by much. It's really not a great choice. All that needs to happen to be disarmed is to snatch the purse. Further, while on body carry means the firarm is always secure, with a purse the firearm is secure only as long as it's within her control and she's paying attention. I know of an instance where a toddler shot themselves with the mothers revolver at the grocery store. She was right there, but wasn't paying attention. Further, many women have the dreaded "bag of death" full of so much crap that the firearm is likely to be at the bottom of the bag under tons of junk, tangled up, and full of lint and debris.
I'd recommend getting a pistol for which a .22 conversion unit is available or a revolver for which a similar one can be purchased in .22lr. A .22 is inexpensive enough to shoot that even an entire day at the range won't break the bank. The only thing missing is the recoil and blast. It's a great way to work on shooting fundaamentals.
If she doesn't really want to learn, get her a .38 airweight snubby and pray she never needs to use it.
As far as purse carry, its better than leaving it on the nightstand, but not by much. It's really not a great choice. All that needs to happen to be disarmed is to snatch the purse. Further, while on body carry means the firarm is always secure, with a purse the firearm is secure only as long as it's within her control and she's paying attention. I know of an instance where a toddler shot themselves with the mothers revolver at the grocery store. She was right there, but wasn't paying attention. Further, many women have the dreaded "bag of death" full of so much crap that the firearm is likely to be at the bottom of the bag under tons of junk, tangled up, and full of lint and debris.
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